Reviews for Rec (7.85)
axiom
Morioka Hideyuki
Nakamura Ryuutarou
Probably the easiest and most well spent hour and a half of anime viewing out there. REC, (which I assume is the abbreviation for `Recording?`) manages to do something in such ...
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- Approval: 80.8% (8 votes)
11.08.2006 09:06 - direct link
(rs4149)
Probably the easiest and most well spent hour and a half of anime viewing out there.
REC, (which I assume is the abbreviation for 'Recording?') manages to do something in such a short time that most shows cannot accomplish in an entire season. I can't stress enough how amazed I was at the end of each nine minute segment. Every one of its short episodes felt like a complete and immersive experience.
Animation:
The artwork here is extremely plain. The male characters especially, seem very cookie cutter-esque. It's odd to see Aka and Matsumaru in the same frame together, because her character design is cute, and colorful, whereas the rest of the cast shares very similiar features. One instance of this, would be Aka's red hair, and petite figure, drawing massive attention to her.
When one character is talking/moving every other character on screen freezes, as if they were statuettes.
Sound:
The Opening theme: Cheer Makkana Kimochi by Kanako Sakai, (also the voice actress for Aka Ondo) was one I listened to the first time through, then skipped through. I thought it was excessively cheesy, and a tad on the annoying side. The version I watched did not have an Ending theme.
Without a doubt, the star of this show, harmonizes voice with personality. Aka Ondo is a voice actress, and demonstrates a diversity in her style and ability, from the moment she appears on screen, till the last episode, she shows her ability to be dynamic.
Story:
Here is a pleasent surprise. A story that provides a totally fulfilling experience, introduces you to the plot, characters, plight, and conclusion, all within just ninety minutes. The best part of all, is that you will feel like you've been watching this show for about ten times the amount that you actually have. The development is something that's hard to explain. The first episode is one of the best first episodes, I've ever seen.
Not only does the show provide you with a bit of education into the field of voice acting, but also enhances our own sense of morality, and gives a realistic and genuine message that "nothing is beyond reach, if you try hard enough."
There are some elements of coincidence that may tarnish the remarkable feeling of realism and humanity of the story, but for having such an asperse effect, regardless of its short length, It's impossible to rate it any lower.
Character:
Aka Ondo is a strange girl. Anyone who would walk up to a total stranger, and personify a pair of tickets, is probably not too common. However, it takes a pretty empathetic soul to be able to voice act, doesn't it? The moment Aka appears on screen, she is instantaneously lovable. You'll find yourself cheering for her throughout her quest to become a professional seiyuu. She is eminently passionate about her profession, and it shows. She practices often, and quotes many lines from famous movies. Her youthful and inexperienced spirit is revealed at one point in the show when her manager quotes a line from a movie she has not yet seen, yet that movie contains her favorite actress.
Fumihiko Matsumaru isn't a big shot. He works at a company that makes snack food. He is an incredibly easy to relate to character. It's hard to explain without a spoiler, so I'll just say to all you guys out there, I'm sure that while watching this show we can all sympathize with some of the trying situations he gets into. In one situation in particular, he says things, while his inner dialogue powerfully contradicts it. He is a man with good intentions, but he's not an overly dramatic goodie-good hero. He's not a smooth, womanizing, Don-Juan, yet he has his own unique charm.
Getting to see the evolution of these two over the short life span of this show, was a great gratification.
The supporting cast is thankfully small, and all given what seems to be a perfect amount of screen time.
Value:
It's a shame there isn't a way I could rate an '11', because in this case, I most certainly would.
You absolutely will not find a better way to spend your time, as far as watching an episode-based anime. REC gives twice as much impact as your average Romantic-Drama, in litterally one-ninth the amount of time.
If you're into this type of show, and have not yet seen it, than there is absolutely no excuse not to watch REC.
An experience that a series multiple increments larger would kill to give, in marginally less time. A compendious, yet nectareous treat.
REC, (which I assume is the abbreviation for 'Recording?') manages to do something in such a short time that most shows cannot accomplish in an entire season. I can't stress enough how amazed I was at the end of each nine minute segment. Every one of its short episodes felt like a complete and immersive experience.
Animation:
The artwork here is extremely plain. The male characters especially, seem very cookie cutter-esque. It's odd to see Aka and Matsumaru in the same frame together, because her character design is cute, and colorful, whereas the rest of the cast shares very similiar features. One instance of this, would be Aka's red hair, and petite figure, drawing massive attention to her.
When one character is talking/moving every other character on screen freezes, as if they were statuettes.
Sound:
The Opening theme: Cheer Makkana Kimochi by Kanako Sakai, (also the voice actress for Aka Ondo) was one I listened to the first time through, then skipped through. I thought it was excessively cheesy, and a tad on the annoying side. The version I watched did not have an Ending theme.
Without a doubt, the star of this show, harmonizes voice with personality. Aka Ondo is a voice actress, and demonstrates a diversity in her style and ability, from the moment she appears on screen, till the last episode, she shows her ability to be dynamic.
Story:
Here is a pleasent surprise. A story that provides a totally fulfilling experience, introduces you to the plot, characters, plight, and conclusion, all within just ninety minutes. The best part of all, is that you will feel like you've been watching this show for about ten times the amount that you actually have. The development is something that's hard to explain. The first episode is one of the best first episodes, I've ever seen.
Not only does the show provide you with a bit of education into the field of voice acting, but also enhances our own sense of morality, and gives a realistic and genuine message that "nothing is beyond reach, if you try hard enough."
There are some elements of coincidence that may tarnish the remarkable feeling of realism and humanity of the story, but for having such an asperse effect, regardless of its short length, It's impossible to rate it any lower.
Character:
Aka Ondo is a strange girl. Anyone who would walk up to a total stranger, and personify a pair of tickets, is probably not too common. However, it takes a pretty empathetic soul to be able to voice act, doesn't it? The moment Aka appears on screen, she is instantaneously lovable. You'll find yourself cheering for her throughout her quest to become a professional seiyuu. She is eminently passionate about her profession, and it shows. She practices often, and quotes many lines from famous movies. Her youthful and inexperienced spirit is revealed at one point in the show when her manager quotes a line from a movie she has not yet seen, yet that movie contains her favorite actress.
Fumihiko Matsumaru isn't a big shot. He works at a company that makes snack food. He is an incredibly easy to relate to character. It's hard to explain without a spoiler, so I'll just say to all you guys out there, I'm sure that while watching this show we can all sympathize with some of the trying situations he gets into. In one situation in particular, he says things, while his inner dialogue powerfully contradicts it. He is a man with good intentions, but he's not an overly dramatic goodie-good hero. He's not a smooth, womanizing, Don-Juan, yet he has his own unique charm.
Getting to see the evolution of these two over the short life span of this show, was a great gratification.
The supporting cast is thankfully small, and all given what seems to be a perfect amount of screen time.
Value:
It's a shame there isn't a way I could rate an '11', because in this case, I most certainly would.
You absolutely will not find a better way to spend your time, as far as watching an episode-based anime. REC gives twice as much impact as your average Romantic-Drama, in litterally one-ninth the amount of time.
If you're into this type of show, and have not yet seen it, than there is absolutely no excuse not to watch REC.
An experience that a series multiple increments larger would kill to give, in marginally less time. A compendious, yet nectareous treat.